• Austria expelled three Russian diplomats accused of using antennas for espionage.
• This incident brings the total number of expelled Russian diplomats to 14 since 2020.
• The Russian embassy condemned the expulsion as politically motivated and threatened a strong response.

Austrian authorities have declared three Russian diplomats personae non gratae due to alleged espionage activities, specifically related to a "forest of antennas" installed on the roofs of diplomatic buildings in Vienna. These antennas are suspected of being utilized for intercepting satellite communications, a concern highlighted by Austria's main domestic intelligence service, which has monitored these installations for years, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger stated, "It is unacceptable that diplomatic immunity be used to commit espionage," confirming that the expelled diplomats had already left the country. Austria's actions are a part of a broader initiative to counter foreign intelligence activities, which the government considers a significant security issue. Consequently, this brings the total number of expelled Russian diplomats in Austria to 14 since 2020, according to BBC and Reuters.

The Russian embassy in Vienna expressed strong disapproval of Austria's decision, labeling it "entirely unjustified" and "politically motivated," indicating that Moscow would respond harshly to the expulsion. This reaction underscores the heightened tensions surrounding diplomatic relations between Austria and Russia, an issue that has drawn significant public and governmental scrutiny, especially given the historical context of espionage in Vienna, according to South China Morning Post and BBC.

Furthermore, the Austrian government recently reaffirmed its commitment to tackling espionage threats originating in Vienna. The continued presence of a large number of Russian diplomats and intelligence operatives has raised alarms regarding national security. A recent report described Vienna as "one of the last remaining locations for Russian signals intelligence in Europe," highlighting the ongoing risks associated with the Russian embassy's activities, as reported by BBC.